MCC Daily Tribune

MCC Proud: Meet Elena Dilai

Elena Dilai is a Professor of Mathematics at Monroe Community College (MCC). She has been a full-time faculty member for 21 years and previously served for two years as an adjunct instructor.

Dilai is originally from Ukraine and completed her Master of Science in Mathematics and Teaching at the esteemed Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, in Lviv, Ukraine.

Initially, Dilai was interested in the arts and hoped to become an artist. In Ukraine at that time, students who wished to study art or music had to attend separate, fee-based schools, as regular schools focused heavily on subjects like science, history, geography, and writing.

“My parents sent me to music school to learn piano four to five days per week,” said Dilai. “When I asked for art classes, my mother refused to give up music (which I now understand perfectly from a parent’s perspective).” Since Dilai’s parents didn’t believe art was a practical career path, it simply wasn’t an option for her.

Although Dilai had a talent for writing and her literature teachers urged her to pursue linguistics, it was her high school math teacher who ultimately inspired her career path.

“She was terribly strict and didn’t tolerate excuses, yet she was fun, engaging, and deeply inspiring,” said Dilai. “I envied her ability to make math interesting without turning it into a game or dumbing it down—it was such a gift.”

Looking back on her MCC career, Dilai has several fond memories, including being mentored by Pat Kuby. “I was lucky to have such a great mentor!” she said. “I also had the privilege of working with remarkable colleagues such as Annette Leopard, Peter Collinge, and Bonny Connell, who were an inspiration early in my career.”

While Dilai received the 2019 SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Faculty Service, her most memorable moments come from her students. “Their stories of success are imprinted in my memory—they inspire and motivate me every day,” she said.

Dilai often shares the story of Jabrel, a student who initially failed her class, only to return later, saying he wanted Dilai as his teacher again because she made a difference for him. Years later, after earning his bachelor’s degree, he told Dilai that she helped him find his calling. Another memorable student was Page, a gifted girl who took Dilai’s classes at just 13 and 14 years old and graduated from MCC at 16.

“Every life I’ve touched, every transformation I’ve witnessed—those are my most treasured memories,” she added.

When asked what advice she would give current students or those considering enrolling at MCC, Dilai said, “Find your why. Why are you in school? Why are you taking a class? The answer shouldn’t be—because I have to. Your why should be your end goal—what you want to accomplish, why you need a degree, and what you’re ultimately striving for. Once that’s defined, everything else will fall into place.”

She added, “MCC is a wonderful school with so many opportunities. Students often forget about our clubs and organizations because they rush to class between work and life responsibilities. I would encourage them to embrace what’s offered—discover and take advantage of the full spectrum of student life. I know many of our students work, but I believe this part of the college experience is often overlooked, and I’d urge them to seek out the opportunities that exist here.”

Outside of MCC, Dilai stays busy with a variety of projects, including serving as Board Secretary for RocMaidan, a non-profit organization that provides medical and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine. Since the full-scale invasion in 2022, the organization has shipped 29 containers of aid to the Ukrainian people.

“We work closely with InterVol, a non-profit that collects surplus medical supplies and ships them to countries where they can be utilized effectively,” she said. “We also partner with various upstate New York businesses to raise funds for medical tactical backpacks and to collect wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, over-the-counter medicine, sleeping beds, cots, and thermal clothing.”

This work holds special significance for Dilai, as she still has family and friends in Ukraine who have endured nearly four years of ongoing bombings. “I feel blessed every day to live under a peaceful sky—something we too often take for granted,” she added.

In addition to her work with RocMaidan, Dilai owns a portrait studio, where she creates artful portraits of women, children, and families. “I only take on about two clients per month since my full-time job limits my availability, but I’m deeply passionate about creating meaningful experiences and delivering masterful portraits that will define people for generations,” added Dilai.

“I began my photographic journey at MCC about ten years ago by taking classes with Jasna Bogdanovska and Jason Flack—both superb educators,” she said. “Since then, I’ve continued honing my craft through various educational platforms, classes, and seminars.”

Dilai recently led a project called “40+ and Fabulous!”, featuring women over the age of forty. The project was more than just portraits—it was an experience, a chance for women to reconnect with themselves, share their wisdom, and demonstrate that youth is a state of mind, not a number.

Dilai said, “I met incredible women—business owners, cancer survivors, caregivers, writers, doctors, educators—and my life was enriched by them.” The project culminated in a gallery exhibit at Image City Photography Gallery during my Visiting Artist 2025 tenure.

Over the years, Dilai has explored many creative hobbies—making polymer clay jewelry, fondant cakes, Ukrainian Easter eggs, baking, cooking, and knitting—but none have been as fulfilling as photography.

“I now compete internationally with my creative portraits and have been fortunate to earn some recognition,” she said. For the second year in a row, three of her images made it to the finals of the Professional Photographers of America International Photography Competition, where she was recently awarded three bronze badges. Judging was held at the Imaging Conference in Nashville, TN.

“The level of work submitted is exceptional, and having my name among them feels truly special!” she said.

She has also raised two children, both of whom are very successful in their lives. Dalai’s daughter has a Ph.D. in Genetics and Computational Biology. She works as a Senior Computational Biologist at Pfizer while her son is in his final year of medical school, awaiting his residency assignment.

Fun Facts About Elena:

Courtney: If you had to eat the same meal at least once a day, what would it be?
Elena: A glass of wine with some good aged cheese—Comté, Basco, or Roquefort. Not exactly a meal, but something I truly enjoy.
Courtney: What is your favorite movie?
Elena: Pride and Prejudice – the BBC Masterpiece version with Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy.
Courtney: What is your favorite sports team?
Elena: Ah, I don’t have one. I rarely watch sports and don’t follow any teams.
Courtney: What is your biggest fear?
Elena: War. Since the war broke out in Ukraine almost four years ago, I’ve witnessed how life can change in a split second—so many people die every day or are forced to flee as refugees. It’s heartbreaking.
Courtney: Is there anything about you that people are surprised to learn?
Elena: Oh, I don’t know. I’m an open book. I speak several languages and do many things in life. Those who know me wonder how I manage to do so much; those who don’t are often surprised to discover all the different sides of me.
Courtney: If you could attend a dinner with any celebrity, living or dead, who would you choose?
Elena: Pope John Paul II—perhaps not a “celebrity” in the conventional sense, but certainly an icon. I have deep respect for the work he did during his tenure, his approach to politics, and his love for humanity. I also have a certificate signed by him honoring my grandfather, a Greek Catholic priest who was sent to Siberia by the Soviets for his faith, later allowed to return to Ukraine, and spent much of his life serving in the underground church while the Greek Catholic religion was forbidden. I would love to hear the Pope’s wisdom, his views on today’s world, and his advice for creating positive change in our society.
Courtney: Do you prefer staying up late or waking up early in the morning?
Elena: Staying up late. That’s my photo-editing time—just me, my computer, and my creativity.
Courtney: Share the best piece of advice anyone has ever given you.
Elena: When I was 25, my uncle told me, “There is nothing in life so bad that it could not be worse.” I didn’t understand it at the time, but over the years, during difficult moments, I’ve often returned to that wisdom. It helps me keep perspective and find my way through challenging times.
Courtney: What destination do you hope to visit one day?
Elena: I love to travel and have visited many European countries and quite a few places in the U.S. I haven’t been to Zion National Park yet, and I hope to visit while I can still hike and truly appreciate its beauty and grandeur. I also have a long list of destinations around the world still calling my name.
Courtney: What activities do you participate in over the weekend?
Elena: Ah, I don’t have much free time. My weekends are usually filled with photography sessions—which many would call “work,” but to me, it’s pure joy and doesn’t feel like a job (yet!). When I do have a rare weekend off, I love to go hiking in local parks, attend a classical concert at Eastman, visit gallery exhibits at ICPG or RoCo, or spend time with friends.

Photo caption: Professional headshot of Elena Dilai wearing an off-white blouse and necklace.

Attached Files:
Dilai Headshot 2025.jpg

Courtney Weimar
Community Relations
01/14/2026